HIV/AIDS Epidemiology: Education, Age and Drinking Associated With Smoking Status in HIV/AIDS

From CDC National Prevention Information Network

June 18, 2004

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"Demographic, disease status, behavioral, and psychosocial variables
were assessed by participant self-report. Surveys were collected from 348
study participants. Demographic composition of the sample was 78% male, 25%
white, 44% Black, and 29% Hispanic. Study participants had a mean age of
40.2 years (SD=7.8)," the report stated.

"The HIV exposure profile of the sample was diverse: 46% men who have
sex with men, 35% heterosexual contact, and 11% injection drug use.
Prevalence of current cigarette smoking in the sample was 46.9%. Among
participants with a lifetime history of smoking 100 or more cigarettes
(62.8%), only 26.6% were currently abstinent, lower than the 48.8% rate seen
in the general population," reported E.R. Gritz and colleagues.

In multiple logistic regression analysis, race/ethnicity, education
level, age and heavy drinking were "significantly associated" with smoking
status. The likelihood of smoking decreased, and the likelihood of quitting
increased, as education level increased. "Hispanics were less likely than
Whites were to smoke, younger participants were less likely than older
participants were to be current smokers, and heavy drinkers were more likely
to be current smokers than were those who were not heavy drinkers,"
according to the report.

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"The high smoking prevalence in this HIV/AIDS population demonstrates
the need for smoking cessation interventions targeted to the special needs
of this patient group," the investigators concluded.

A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!

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